Cannon.



'5. 131.001). OANNON. grmomlon mum JULY 26. 1909.

Patented May 17, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. J. BLOOD.

CANNON. APPLIGATIOH FILED JULY 26. 1909.

Patented May 17, 1910.

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llllllllff rll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, EDWIN z'r. BLOOD, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

cANNoN.

Specification of Ietters Patent.

Patented May 17, 1910.

Application filed July 26, 1909. Serial No. 509,515.

To all whom it may conicem: p

-Be itknownthat I, EDWIN J. BLoou, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new. and

useful Improvements in a Cannon, of Whichthe'follow-in'g is a specification' This invention has relatlon to improve-- ments in the construction of heavy ordnance, and one of the principal'objects thereof is to provide means whereby the largest type of guns or cannons of great strength and durability can beconstructed Without the use of very heavy forgings, but instead thereof by the employment of a large number of small parts reduced to very thin or sheet like formation by'a rolling process or otherwise, thereby attaining superior and known quality of the parts and avoiding the isks of hidden and inherent defects and internal strains attendant upon heavy forgings.

Another main object of the invention is to .provide simple and efficient means for furnishing to the assembled parts great longitudinal strength and rigidity to resist or overcome the longitudinal, as well as the crdsgsection al strains producedwhen thecannon is discharged or fired.

The above-named objects, as well as various other results and advantages, which will hereinafter become evident, are attained by the peculiar constructiomnovelarrangement, and combination of the parts of the invention as will be hereinafter more full set forth and specifically claimed.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains, to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it, referring to the accompanying drawings, in'which- I Figure l is aview in side elevation of a cannon embodying the invention, showing the parts thereof assembled ready for use; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section of the completed cannon; Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the barrels,show ing one form of-the steel spools which surround the outer barrel and support the steel disks mounted thereon; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the disk-carrying-spools, showin a modification in its construction; Fig.6 1s a View partly ine'levation anr partly in longltudinal section curing them together longitudinally; Fig. -7'

1s a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 'of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig.

9 is a detached perspective view of one of the disks which surround the spools; Flg.

10 is a perspective View of a portion of the abutting ends of two of the spools; Fig. 11 is a perspective'vie'w of a group of the elements used in connecting the spools together longitudinally. Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section taken in line 12, of Fig. 1, and Fig. 13, is a cross-sectional view of the inner and outer barrels, showing an interposed sleeve forequalizingthe tension of said barrels.

Like numerals of reference, refer to corresponding parts throughout the diiferent views of the drawings.

The crystalline formation of a massive steel ingot weighing many tons is but partially changed to a fibrous formation by the process of forging, but when reduced by rollers or otherwise to very thin or sheet like form, the metal is changed entirely to a' fibrous formation increasing its tensile strength several hundred per cent., sometimes reaching as high as three hundred thousand pounds per square inch while ninety thousand pounds per square inch is high in a massive forging, hence to insure the greatest. strength and durability in the larger-type of guns or cannons I prefer and usually will employ meta-1 of a fibrous for-- mation and in pieces of such size and form as may be desired to attain high'tensile strength and to enable parts of superior and known quality only to be selected and incorporated in the structure of thecannon.

Referring now, andmore particularly to Fig. 3, of the drawings, the reference numeral 15, designates the inner barrel of the gun, which is tapered on its, outer surface from itsbreech end-to the muzzle end thereof and is provided with a longitudinal bore 16, throu hout its entire'length. The muzzle-endofithe barrel 15, is externally screwthreaded-to enga e a nut'17, to abut against the front end 0 the outer barrel and the front of one of a series of s ools, so as to assist in securely'holding said members together. The outer barrel is preferably made ofa front section 18, and 'a rear secthe barrel,.to receivethe externally tapered inner barrel, and each of said sections is ex-' ternally tapered. fro'mits inner to its outer cnd'so that when ,joined the greatest diameter of therouter-barrel, which said sections form, will be at the..juncture ofthe sections, which juncture is preferably located at or near the trunnions: Surrounding the ad as cent portions of the sections 18, and 19, are

a series of trunnion-disks 22, under tension,

' some of which may be formed or provided so as to be located on opposite sides of the gun, with extensions 23, or trunnions. Located on and'around the sections 18, and 19, forming the outer barrelare a series of metal spools,'usually of steel,'each of which consists of two tubular body members 24,- and 25, one fitted within the other under tension, and having at opposite ends annular flanges or heads 26, and 27, respectively. The outer surface of one of the flanges of'each of the spools is'provided with an annular recess 28, to receive a correspondingly shaped and sized extension 29, on the outer surface of the adjacent flange or head of another spool, thus affording interlocking means for the heads of the spools, as well as means for distributing or dividlng between the meeting flanges or heads the cross-sectional strain which may occur at their juncture.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 4, and 6, of the drawings, the bores of the inner tubular body membersof the spools are tapered, to correspond with the taper of the. sections 18, and 19, of the outer barrel, around which ,sections they, are closely fittedandsecurely held as will be presently explained. Before the tubular bodies of each spool are telescop'ed or fitted one within another, a seriesof metal or steel disks 30, each having a central opening 31, to receive the outer body or tubular member, is forced thereon until said member is completely covered therewith, after which the inner member is forced into the outer one until its flange,

- contacts with the flangeless end of the outer member and with one of the disks 30, thereon. When the disks 30, and members 24, and 25, of each spool have thus been assembled, it is apparent that the spools may be forced one at a time on the outer barrel an. from each end thereof, in which operation it will be understood, (see Fig. 3,)

- that the flange or head'27, of the spool on the inner end of the section 18, of the outer barrel will rest against the front trunniondisk 22, and. that the flange .26, of the spool on the inner end of the section 19, will rest against the rear trunnion-disk, which disks and the said flanges, as well as all of the spool flanges are of greater diameter than the spool disks. Ordinarily the inner and outer tubular members of each spool will have their outer and inner surfaces respectively, smooth as shown in Figs. 3, and 4, but sometimes tubular members 31, and 32, having screw-threads on their adjacent surfaces, as shown in Fig. 5, may be employed.

Surrounding the nut 17, at the muzzle is a collar 33, having a flange 34, which rests against the head 26,df the front spool. The flange 34, of the collar 33, is provided with a number of openings 35, to receive redu'ced and screw-threaded portions 36, on strengtheni'ng. members 37, which may consist of any desired number ,and may be rods or bars, as shown in the present instance. Each of the membersis provided on its inner surface with a series of recesses 38, located at suitable distances'apart to receive the-abutting flanges 26, and 27, of the spools. The rear end of each of the members 37, is provided with a rearward extension 38, which has its outer end screw-threaded, and said extensions are passed through suitable openings in the flange 27, of-the.rear spool, and also through suitable openings in the breechplates 39, which are located around a collar 40, which surrounds a screwthreaded collar 41, which engages the rear end of the section 19, of the outer barrel,

The outer end of each of the extensions 38, has secured thereon a nut 42, by means of which the breech-plates 39, may be forced against the rear surface of the flange 27, of the rear spool.

As the invention does notinvolve the construction of the breech-block, it is deemed unnecessaryto enter into a detailed description of its construction, and I desire it to-be understood that I may employ any suitable kind of such block 43, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Secured longitudinally .on the inner portion of each of the members 37, at each of the recesses 38*, therein, is a channeled clip 44, each of which has a transverse recess 45, toregister with the recesses 38, and to receive saddles 46, which stride the abutting flanges or heads 26, and 27, of the disk-carrying spools. vEach of the transverse recesses 38, in the members 37, is provided, in each of its ends with a horizontally and transversely disposed pin-seat 46, to register with similar seats 47, in each end of each of the transverse recesses 45, in each of the said clips. As shown, each of the saddles 46, is channeled transversely and has in each of its ends a cross-wise yin-seat 48, which together with the seats 46, and 47 form tapered openings for the tapered pins or wedges 49, ,used for securing said parts towed es49- byti gether. By forcing the tapered pins or e seats 46, 4,7, and 48, 1t is apparent that additional strength will be a-flor ed to the. spools, to withstand the longitudinal strain to which they'will be, subjected.

As shown in Figs. '1, and 2, of the drawings, the trurmion disks 22, and breechsaid members together.

a suitable which may 'be forced plates 39, as well as the sp ool flanges therebetween,

are of sufiicientsize so as to extend outwardly'from the eripheriesof the disks 30, and are connecte together by means of strong bolts50, which are extended through suitable openings in the trunnion disks,-

breech plates, and spool flanges, and have on their rear ends nuts 51, to securely-hold Surrounding the members 37, as well as the disks 30, at or near the trunnion disks 22, is a ring 52, on the members '37, from -the tapered ends thereof, until it reaches the desired location where it is evi-v dent that it will assist in holding the members 37 against the spool disks 30, as well as against the flanges 26, and 27, thereof. At point in front of the trunnion disks, one pair of the spool flanges or heads 26 and 27, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 8,3 is provided, at opposite points with sa dles for the strengthening members 37 each of which saddles preferably consists of two members 53, each of which is bolted at one of its ends to said flanges and near their other ends to the members 37, thus firmly uniting said -members-'to said flanges.

From the foregoing and by reference to the drawings it will be readily understood and clearly, seen that the disk carrying spools when assembled on the outer barrel and when connected together by the strengthening members, 37, will in conjunction with said members and barrel provide a foundation frame of truss formation, giving to the gun great rigidity and longitudina strength, as'well as furnishing great resistance to cross-sectional strains.

As before stated the disk carrying spools may be assembled on theouter barrel one at a tlme, or may be removed therefrom one at a time, thus. affording easy means for detachmg, the parts, so that they may be readily transported. After the disk carrying spools shall have been assembled'on the 85 sections of the outer barrel, and secured together by means of the longitudinally extended strengthening members 37, and bolts or rods 50, and the nuts 42, 54:, and 51, on said membersand bolts, it is obvious that as the outer barrel. is tapered internally from its rear end forwardly, the externally ta pered inner barrel 15, may be inserted therein under pressure, and when damaged may be removed and another one substituted. In

order to attain even or uniform pressure or tension of the mner and outer barrels,- wlren' into the tapered openings formed &

the former is inserted in the bore of the lat ter I may sometimes use a sleeve 55, of copper or other ductile maternal around the inner barrel as is shown 1n Fig. .13, of the drawings. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is-

1. A cannon consisting of a barrel, a ser es of spools mounted thereomeach spool consisting of two tubular body members fitted one withi-n the other and having at opposite ends an outwardly extended flange, re1nforcingmaterial surrounding the outer body member, and means to secure said spools together and 011 the barrel.

2. A (3211111011 consisting of a barrel, a series of spools mounted thereon, each spool consisting of two tubular body members fittedone within the other and having at opposite ends an outwardly extended flange, reinforcing material surrounding the outer body member, longitudinally extended strengthening members located on the outer surfaceof the reinforcing material and in engagement with the flanges of the spools, and means at the ends of the strengthening members to secure thelm-the spools and barrels together. a

3. A cannon consisting of a barrel, a series of spools mounted thereon, each spool consisting of two tubularbody members fitted one within the other and having at opposite .ends an outwardly extended flange, a series .bf disks located on the outer body member of each spool and presenting tl'ieir edges to its outer surface, and means to secure said spools together and on the barrel.

4;. A cannon consisting of an inner barrel, an outer barrel surrounding the same and externally tapered, a series of spools mounted on the outer barrel, each spool consisting oftwo tubular body members fitted one within the other and having at opposite ends an outwardly extended flange, reinforcing at opposite ends an outwardly extended flange, reinforci1 1g meanssurrounding the outer body member, a nut engaging the front portion of the inner barrel, a flanged collar on said nut, lol-lgitudinally extended strengthening members located onthe outer, surface of the reinforcing material and. in engagement vith the flanges of the spools and the flange: of said collar, means at the rear end 'of the strengthening members and barrels to secure said members, spools, and

barrels together.

6. A cannon consisting of an inner barrel, an outer barrel consisting of oppositely tapered sections surrounding the same, a series of spools mountedon th sections of the outer barrel, each spool c nsisting of two tubular body members fitted one within the other and havin at opposite ends an outwardly extended ange, a series of disks located on the outer body member of each spool and presenting their edges to its outer CHAS. O. TI LLMAN, J. E. HANSON.

recesses to- 

